Dear friends of Fr. Benedict,

Today is Tuesday, March 2. Here is the latest update on Fr. Benedict.

Thanks to Chuck Kinnane and Cliff Azize of the Grassroots Renewal Production team, many of our friends in "cyber-space" can enjoy a bit of our beautiful day in the Bronx. We thought you would find even two minutes medicine for what ails your soul. What happened yesterday in our corner of the globe is but one of many wonderful signs of renewal in the Church. The saying is true, "One dead limb falling makes more noise than a thousand small seeds growing". So, as Pope John Paul II says, "Courage! Have hope! Push out into the deep!" Please pray for our newly professed friars as they are now on their home visits. When they return after two weeks of visiting family and friends - we put them to work!

Believe it or not, today we had a bit of a setback. Yes, at eight o'clock this morning Father's heart began to race, things began to beep and blink, and they had to roll in Father's old friend - the ventilator. The brief but startling ordeal frightened Father who called for a priest to receive the sacrament of the sick. He also asked that the Blessed Sacrament be reserved in his room. The doctors and other professionals on the scene were not terribly shaken; they've seen this many times. No doubt, getting off the ventilator after so many weeks is tricky business. So, instead of tap dancing, Fathers' doing the "one step forward, two steps back" routine.

On our part, we all know what this means. In the Book of Exodus, Moses' arms were held aloft by Aaron and Hur. When Moses' arms grew weary, Amalek, Israel's enemy got the better of the battle. Maybe our prayers are getting a bit weak, so let us be steadfast in our intercession for Father B. Hopefully, our visit tomorrow will find him doing better.

I will soon be sending out two e-mails to the thousands who have visited our Friends of Father Benedict website. The first regards Father Benedict's "Good Friday video". The second, concerns an open letter and special petition to Mr. Mel Gibson which we will be posting on our Grassroots website.

So, I hope that as Father receives his "spiritual radiation therapy" quietly as he sleeps, you too may find some quiet time before the Blessed Sacrament. Could you imagine how different our world would be if people spent more time before the tabernacle and less before the television? Imagine that!

Until next time, if God wills. God bless you!

Fr. Glenn Sudano, C.F.R.
Community Servant (superior)
Franciscan Friars of the Renewal

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We are praying for your recovery. Maybe it will take time because you were so badly injured. You are "a man of action" (Fr. Glenn's words). But rest and God will heal you quickly because that is what you and your thousands of fans want of you. - Tom and Doris, St. Marys, Ohio

Welcome home Father Benedict we are all praying for here at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Lindenhurst. Father when your able please give Father Glen a big hug for all he has done as well as Joe, and the young men of St. Francis House. As Mother Angelica would put it they have been "AWESOME" - John, Lindenhurst, New York

Praying daily for your continued recovery. I offer all my tasks today for your freedom from pain. - Sue, Geneva, New York

Dear Fr. Ben, I am praying for you every day. - Mark age 3, Oswego, Illinois

Dear Fr. Benedict, I thank God for your continuing improvement. I am a 'cradle Catholic', spent 12 years in Catholic school, and was an adult daily communicant for over 25 years. I never really understood how precious my faith was until I started listening to you on EWTN. Now I read your books and watch your video tapes and follow your appearances on EWTN. You have inspired me so much. I thought I had a good relationship with Jesus before but it was nothing compared to what you convinced me it could be. I pray God will let His servant, Benedict, remain with us for many, many more years. My continued prayers and sacrifices for you and your order of Friars. - Joann, Warren, Michigan

Father Benedict it is a great blessing to all of us at the C.S.134 school to see God's miraclous power. We want you to know that everyone is praying and thinking of you. You are truly loved. - C.S.134, Bronx, New York

Father Benedict, our priest talked about the ways in which satan tempts us, especially as we journey into our spiritual growth...it is true...if Jesus was tempted, we are not above this...it is real...we feel it and i'm sure he is tempting you because of your positive impact on the world..just know that you and all our priests are in our prayers, not only as you recover, but always...your suffering is not in vain! as we have said before, this web site is an important tool for our daily meditation. we love u! - Teri & Bill, Bradenton, Florida

At 62 years of age, I went through the Rite of Election today as a catechumen. You have played a large part in that. I check on you every day. My prayers are with you. We still need you here. - Nancy, Clarendon Hills, Illinois

Dear Fr. Benedict, I first met you when changing the channel from whatever I had been watching to EWTN for my mother to watch the next day while I was at work. I was mesermized by your words and your presence, and would find myself sitting down, drinking it all in, instead of going to bed as I intended. You were greatly responsible for my return to the Church. I had been away from the Church for 12 years. I next met you at a retreat OLME gave in Allentown, PA in 2000. Your words were inspiring. You have touched so many people with your words, your faith, your humor, and your love. You have been in my prayers daily since your accident, and will remain in my prayers from now on whether injured, sick, or well. You have so much to do.....you need all the prayers you can get..........even my little ones. I am so grateful that you said yes to God, and continue to say yes, no matter what He asks of you. God bless you, Fr. Benedict, and make you well again. Please pray for me. - Janet ,Lakewood, New Jersey

Send your greetings to Fr. Benedict

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